Post-mix valve having plural independent actuators



June 10, 1969 R. T. CORNELIUS 3,448,769

POST-MIX VALVE HAVING PLURAL INDEPENDENT ACTUATORS I N VENTOR.

Y l /'l Z 'i A'rlzhmA/EYS June 10, 1969 R. T. CORNELIUS 3,448,769

POST-MIX VALVE HAVING PLURAL INDEPENDENT ACTUATORS Filed oct. 20, 1965 sheet Z of 5 u, l//l/ ",111

INVENTOR.

mf Z s ATTORNEYS June y10, 1969 R. T. CORNELIUS 3,448,769

POST-MIX VALVE HAVING PLURAL INDEPENDENT ACTUATORS Filed oct. 2o, 1965 sheet 3 of 5 Y 1% 4/7 ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,448,769 POST-MIX VALVE HAVING PLURAL INDEPENDENT ACTUATORS Richard T. Cornelius, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to,

The Cornelius Company, Anoka, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Filed Oct. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 498,672 Int. Cl. F16k 21 /04, 17/00 U.S. Cl. 137--607 16 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE A dispensing valve assembly such as of the mixing type This invention relates to fluid mixing and dispensing apparatus and more particularly to a device for combining a carbonated liquid with a non-carbonated liquid.

There are many commonly consumed beverages which are formed immediately prior to consumption by the mixture of a carbonated liquid with a non-carbonated fluid. A typical example of such a drink is the cola type drink which involve the mixing of a cola syrup which is relatively concentrated and viscous with carbonated water. Another example is the Various fruit drinks which mix a fruit juice concentrate with carbonated water. It is irnportant in dispensing drinks of the above character that the apparatus be of such a design and construction that it may be maintained in a sanitary condition, that the operating mechanism be compact, and that the exterior f the structure be ornamental in appearance. Since many of the syrups and other concentrates are inherently sticky, it is desirable that the apparatus be of such a form that it can be readily disassembled and cleaned. It is sometimes desirable to have mechanism which can be electrically operated in a simple manner.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel uid mixing and dispensing apparatus having a distinctive structure and design which incorporates one or more of the above desirable features.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel post-mix valve assembly which is efficient in operation, rugged and reliable in use and relatively economical to manufacture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel post-mix valve assembly for mixing a carbonated liquid with a non-carbonated liquid, whose duct system and design is such as to greatly reduce undesirable decarbonation of the carbonated liquid as it passes through the assembly, and which is provided with valving mechanism which may be operated in a novel manner The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention itself, however, both as to its manner of construction and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

3,448,769 Patented June 10, 1969 ice FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional side view (with some parts in elevation) of a preferred embodiment of a uid mixing and dispensing apparatus embodying the novel teachings and principles of the present invention as taken along the line I-I of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 2 is a generally horizontal sectional view as taken along line II-II of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a'fragmentary sectional view (with some parts in plan) of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1 as taken along the line III-III of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a front sectional view taken along the irregular line IV-IV of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged front elevational view of a sealing ring and valve member of the embodiment of my invention shown in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged side view partly in section of one of the said sealing ring and valve member with the parts in which it is mounted exploded away;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view with a portion of the rear shroud broken away of a different species 0f the present invention; and

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form of spout for use in my novel apparatus.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 3 of the drawings, the fluid mixing and dispensing apparatus includes a Valve portion 11, an intermediate delivery duct body member or block 12, a combination mixing chamber and delivery spout 13, and a combination front shroud and operating handle 14.

The valve portion 11 includes a pair of blocks 15 and 16 which may conveniently be formed of any suitable inexpensive plastic material and which may be securedY together in any suitable manner such as by threaded fastening means 10. The block 15 is provided with a pair of rearwardly extending fittings 17 and 18 which are arranged to be connected respectively to a syrup or other concentrate supply source `and to a source of carbonated water. A fluid passageway 19 extends through the fitting 17 and the block 15 to a frusto-conical recess 20 formed in the inner face of the block 15. A fluid passageway 21 extends through the fitting 18 and the block 15 to a frustoconical recess 22 also formed on the inner face of the block 15. The block 16 is provided with a pair of passageways 23 and 24 passing therethrough and which open into the frusto-conical regions provided by the recesses 20 and 22. The upstream end of these passageways 23 and 24 are provided with a rearwardly extending circular flange 9 against which movable valve members 25 andv 26 are arranged to be seated. The flange 9 thus provides a port between inlet duct 21 and outlet passageway 24 and also inlet duct 19 and outlet passageway 23.

The valves 25 and 26 are formed as an assembled part of a pair of ring seals 27 and 28 which are clamped between the confronting faces of the blocks 15 and 16. The assembled relationship of the valve member and its associated ring seal may best be understood by reference to FIGURES 5 and 6, where it will be noted that the ring seal 27 has an upwardly extending integral arm 29 through which a metal leaf or finger 30 extends. The inner end of the finger 30 extends into the center of the ring 27 and has the valve member 25 molded thereon and through an opening 31 formed in the inner end of the finger. Rocking movement of the finger 30 using the ring seal 27 as a fulcrum point causes movement of the valve member 25. The outer end of the finger 30 has a molded button 32 snapped thereon for engagement by an actuating arm hereinafter to be described. The ring seal 27 and its associated upwardly extending portion which covers the metal nger 30 as well as the valve member 25 is preferably of rubber or rubber-like material. The outer button 32 may, if desired, be formed of different material, such as nylon, which is more wear resistant or of a material which is less likely to cause sticking to the actuating member (hereinafter to be described).

In order to provide a convenient method for quickly aligning the ring seal 27, the ring seal is preferably not a torous having its body portion of circular cross section but rather is a torous whose body portion is given a shape having a relatively sharp peripheral edge on each face as at 65 and 66. The block 15 has a small circular groove 33 therein while the Iblock 16 has a corresponding small groove 34 therein for receiving these sharp inner and outer peripheral edges of the ring seal member. This enables quick alignment of the ring seal in proper position when the unit is being assembled.

The ring seal 28 and its upstanding arm is similar to the ring seal 27.

As will clearly be understood from an inspection of FIGURES 2 and 6, the two valve members 25 and 26 are preferably at on their respective faces which are arranged to be seated on the valve seats 9 provided at the rearward ends of the passageways 23 and 24. Their opposite faces, however, are dome or bullet shaped in order to spread the flow of iiuid thereover more evenly when the valve is in its open position. This substantially reduces turbulence particularly in the carbonated water inlet which would otherwise cause an undesired ramount of decarbonation to occur.

An actuating means is provided for the valves 25 and 26 in the form of a depending arm or lever which is pivotally mounted on a pin 36 carried in upstanding arms 37 of block `15. The arm 35 extends above its pivotal point 3'6 in a recess A67 (FIGURE 2) in the blocks 15 and 16 between the two ring seals 27 and 28. A pair of multifinger plates 38 are rotatably carried on the pivot pin 36 and are arranged such that the upper forked end of the actuating arm 35 engages center fingers 68 and 69 of the plates 38 to rock the same in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in FIGURE 1) when the valves are to be opened. An additional pair of fingers 73 and 74 on plates 38 press against the rear face of button 32 on the valve actuating fingers 30. A resilient plate 70 having a pair of upstanding fingers 71 and 72 is mounted between block 16 and body member `12. The fingers 71 and 72 press against the front face of button 32 and thus bias the valve members 25 and 26 to a normally closed position. Rocking of the plates 38 causes rocking of the upstanding fingers 30 in a counterclockwise direction about the fulcrum points provided by the two sealing rings 27 and 28. This causes a lifting of rthe valve members 25 and 26 off of their respective valve seats 9.

The body member 12 has a rear face 39 in which two recesses 40 and 41 are formed opposite the front end of the passageways 23 and 24 of the block 16. A pair of O-rings 42 and 43 are disposed in the recesses 40 and 41 to provide suitable sealing in the region where iluid is passing from the block I16 into the passageways of the member 12. The member 12 has a duct 44 leading from the recess 41 to a central downwardly extending opening 45. 'Ihe forward end of the member 12 has a downwardly facing recess 46 having an intermediate shoulder 47 formed in the wall of the recess. A second duct 48 is formed in the member 12 which leads from the recess 40 to the downwardly opening recess 46. The point of entry of the duct 48 is located tangentially with respect to the circular recess 46 so that as uid enters the recess 46 from the duct 48, it is given a swirling motion before passing out of the recess 46.

A plug member 49 ts into the recess 46 as far as the shoulder 47. This plug member 49 has a plurality of downwardly diverging ducts 50 therein which are arranged to pass carbonated water from the chamber provided by the recess 46 to the lower end of the plug 49. The plug 49 is provided with a circumferential groove 51 in which a rubber ring 52 is disposed. The spout 13 is arranged to form a tight friction t over the plug 49 and the rubber .4 ring 52. A delivery tube 53 extends centrally through the plug 40, through the chamber provided by the recess 46 and up into the downwardly formed opening 45 which communicates with the duct 44. The tube 53 is of such length as to extend somewhat past `the lower end of the plug 49. The inner wall of the spout 13 is provided with a reverse curvature as shown in FIGURE 1 so that, as carbonated water emerges from the ducts 50, its direction is gradually changed and caused to pass down past the lower end of the tube 53. Since syrup or other concentrate is emerging from the tube 53 into the area immediately therebelow through which carbonated water is passing, mixture occurs at this point; that is, just inside of the lower end of the spout 13.

It will be observed from an examination of FIGURE 1 that the lower edge 54 of the spout 13 is not at right angles to the direction of fluid flow but is formed at an angle other than with respect thereto. It has been found in practice that this tends to reduce dripping at this point when the valves are again closed.

A modified form of spout 13 is shown in FIGURE 8 of the drawings wherein a notch 75 is provided in the lower peripheral fiat edge of the spout. This has also been found to reduce dripping.

The valve actuating mechanism thus far described in connection with the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been a depending arm 35 which is primarily designed to be engaged by a glass pushed into position underneath the spout 13. Additional alternate actuating means will now be described for many times it is desirable to have an operating means disposed above the apparatus which the user can conveniently reach to open the valves. To this end, the shroud 14 is pivotally mounted as at 76 and is arranged for limited rocking movement about this pivot point. The shroud 14 itself loosely envelops the intermediate body member 12 and is dimensioned so that limited movement in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot 76 may be had from the position as shown in FIGURE 1. The upper rear portion of the shroud 14 is provided with a pin 77 (FIGURES 1 and 3). A link 78 extends between the pin 77 and a pin 79 is carried in the forked upper end of the arm 35. This link 78 has an elongated slot 80 therein through which the pin 77 extends and is free to move.

The upper portion of the shroud 14 has a central boss 81 which is formed as an integral part of the shroud 14 and which is interiorly connected to the shroud in its lower portion by means of a plurality of webs 82. The boss 81 has mounted therein a convenient handle member 82 which is so designed that its upper end 83 may be provided with suitable indicia to indicate the nature of the beverage to be dispensed or other information. The arrangement of the boss 81 with the plurality of webs 82 is such as to provide a relatively rigid shroud member.

The shroud 14 is held in an upright position by means of a biasing spring 84 which acts against the pin 77 carried in the shroud 14. From an inspection of FIGURE 1, it will be observed that when the handle 82 is pulled toward the operator (that is, in a counterclockwise direction) about the pivot 76, the link arm 78 is pulled forwardly which, in turn, causes the upstanding fingers 30 to move the valve arms 29 in a counterclockwise direction thus opening the valve members 25 and 26 to permit fluid to flow into the mixing chamber within the spout 13.

Should it be desired to utilize the downwardly extending arm 35 rather than the upstanding handle 82 to open the valves it will be observed that counterclockwise rotation of the arm 35 about its pivot pin 36 will similarly cause the ngers 30 to rock the valve member supporting arms and open the valves. During the operation, however, the link member 78 is forced forwardly but no movement of the handle 82 occurs since the slot 80 of the link 78 permits the link to move forwardly without affecting the position of the pin 77.

A modified form of the present invention is shown in FIGURE 7 wherein the handle 82 is replaced by an electromagnetic operating means. The internal construction of the fluid dispensing device of FIGURE 7 is the same as that described in connection 4with the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the exception' of the portions hereinafter to be specifically referred to. The shroud 14 has been eliminated as a rocking member and a solenoid actuator 85 has been mounted on the front portion of the device. This solenoid `85 has an actuating plunger 86 which has a forked end 87 carrying a pin 88 which extends through the slot 80 of the link 78. The link 78 instead of being mounted to extend in a slightly downward direction is substantially horizontal. The solenoid is arranged to be electrically energized through conductors `89 and 90 from a `source of electric power represented by power supply conductors 91 and 92. A push button switch 93 is provided which, when closed, electrically energizes the solenoid 85 to pull its armature 86 to the left as viewed in FIGURE 7 thus opening the valve members 25 and 26 from their respective valve seats 9. If it is desired to manually actuate the device of FIGURE 7 by pushing the arm 35 in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot pin 36, this can be done in the same manner as was described in connection with FIGURE 1 without causing movement of the armature 86. The armature 86 is maintained in its outwardly disposed position by the spring member `84.

In operation of either the device of FIGURE 1 or the device of FIGURE 7, the tting 17 is connected to a source of syrup or concentrate while the fitting 18 is connected to a source of carbonated water. Both sources are under pressure. Movement of the upper end of the operating lever 35 in a counterclockwise direction by any one of the various means described rocks the valve nger 30 in a counterclockwise direction to lift the valve members 25 and 26 off of their respective seats 9. Fluid flows smoothly past the valve members 25 and 26 due to their bore-like noses. The absence of agitation at this point is particularly important in the carbonated water line. The carbonated water enters the chamber 46 with a smooth motion and then passes through the ducts 50 into the spout 13 where it again passes over the smooth re.- verse curvature wall of the upper end of the spout 13. The syrup or concentrate passes down through the tube 53 and mixes with the carbonated water just beyond the point where the reverse curvature of the inner wall ends. From the above description, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a fluid mixing and dispensing apparatus which is particularly rugged and which is especially easy to disassemble and clean. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is a form of construction which lends itself readily to economical manufacturing operations.

I claim as my invention:

1. A post-mix valve assembly comprising:

(a) a valve body having a pair of inlet ducts and a pair of outlet ducts with a pair of ports each connecting an inlet duct with an outlet duct,

(b) valve members movably mounted to open and close said ports,

(c) a delivery spout and mixing chamber member detachably secured to said valve body and in open iluid communication with said outlet ducts,

(d) valve actuating means for moving said valve memlbers to valve opening position including an actuating lever depending from said valve body,

(e) said lever being pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said valve body and having a forked upper end,

(f) a pair of plates mounted on said valve body,

(g) each of said plates having at least two upstanding ears, one ear of each plate being engaged by said forked end of said lever and the other ear of each plate being in engagement with said valve arms respectively,

(h) second valve actuating means including a movable pin, and

(i) a link having a slot therein through which said pin extends and connecting said movable pin with said upper end of said lever, said pin and slot forming a lost motion connection permitting movement of said lever without movement of` said pin.

2. A shroud for enveloping a portion of a post-mix valve assembly comprising:

(a) a housing having two side walls,

(b) a front wall and a top wall,

(c) said top wall having a cylindrical sleeve formed therein,

(d) a plurality of generally vertically disposed webs radiating from the lower perpiheral surface of said sleeve and extending into rigid integral relationship with said front and side walls, and

(e) an upstanding member mounted in said sleeve and rising therefrom.

3. A shroud of Ithe type set forth in claim 2 in which said sleeve projects above and below said top vvall.

4. A shroud of the type set forth in claim 3` in which said upstanding member includes front and rear faces adapted to have indicia thereon.

`5. A post-mix valve assembly comprising:

(a) a valve body having a pair of inlet ducts and a pair of outlet ducts with a pair of ports each connecting an inlet duct with an outlet duct,

(b) valve members movably mounted to open and close said ports,

(c) a delivery spout and mixing chamber member detachably secured to said valve body and in open fluid communication with said outlet ducts,

(d) an actuating lever depending from said valve body and positioned to open said valve members simultaneously upon movement thereon,

(e) a second actuating means mounted on said valve body above said mixing chamber,

(f) link means connecting said second actuating means to said members to shift said valve members to valve opening position,

(g) resilient means normally biasing said valve mem- Ibers to valve closing position,

(h) said link means including means enabling said actuating lever to move said valve members lto valve opening position Without moving said second actuating means.

I6. A post-mix valve assembly of the type set for-th in `claim -5 in which said second actuating means is electrically operated.

7. A post-mix valve assembly of the type set forth in claim 5 in which said second actuating means is mechanically actuated.

8. A post-mix valve assembly of the type set for-th in claim `5 in which said second actuating means is in the form of a pivotally mounted ornamental shroud which partially covers said valve body.

9. A valve assembly comprising:

(a) a valve body containing a passage comprising an inlet duct and an outlet duct with a port between the inlet duct and the outlet duct,

(b) a valve member movably mounted `to open and close the port,

(c) a delivery spout slidably secured to the valve body in open iluid communication with the outlet duct,

(d) .a iirst valve actuator including an actuating lever mounted on the valve body rearwardly of the spout, said actuating lever being pivotally mounted on the valve body at a point between its ends and having an upper end coupled to the valve member for actuating the same upon pivotal movement of the lactuating lever, and

(e) a second valve actuator located on the valve body and disposed directly above the spout, said second valve actuator including a movable pin and `a link having a slot through which the pin extends connecting the pin to the upper end of the actuating lever, the pin and slot forming a lost motion connection permitting movement of the lever without movement of the pin.

10. A valve assembly comprising:

(a) a valve body containing a passage comprising an inlet duct and an outlet duct with a port between the inlet duct and the outlet duct,

(b) a valve member movably mounted to open and close the port, and resilient means normally biasing the valve member to a valve closing position,

(c) a delivery spout slidably secured to the valve body in open iluid communication with the outlet duct, (d) a rst valve actuator including an actuating lever mounted on the valve body rearwardly of the spout,

and

(e) .a second valve actuator located on the valve body and disposed directly above the spout, said second valve actuator accommodating movement of the actuating lever to open the port against the action of said resilient means without movement of said second valve actuator.

11. A valve assembly comprising:

(a) a valve body containing a passage comprising an inlet duct and an outlet duct with a port between the inlet duct and the outlet duct,

(b) a valve member movably mounted to open and close the port,

(c) a delivery spout slidably secured to the valve body in open iiuid communication with the outlet duct,

(d) a iirst valve actuator including an actuating lever mounted on the valve body rearwardly of the spout, yand (e) a second valve actuator located on the valve body and disposed directly above the spout, said second valve actuator including a shroud pivotally mounted for rocking movement on the valve body, said shroud comprising a housing having two side walls, a front Wall, a top wall having a cylindrical sleeve formed thereon, and a plurality of generally vertically disposed webs radiating from the lower peripheral surface of the sleeve and rigidly integral with the side walls.

12. A valve assembly comprising:

(a) a valve body containing a passage comprising an inlet duct and an outlet duct with a port between the inlet duct and the outlet duct,

(b) a valve member movably mounted to open and close the port,

(c) a delivery spout slidably secured to the valve body in open fluid communication with the outlet duct, (d) a first valve actuator including an actuating lever mounted on the valve body rearwardly of the spout,

and

(e) a second valve actuator located on the valve body and disposed directly above the spout, said second valve actuator including a shroud pivotally mounted for rocking movement on the valve body, said shroud comprising a housing having two side walls, a front wall, a top wall having a cylindrical sleeve formed thereon, and a plurality of generally vertically disposed webs radiating from the lower peripheral surface of the sleeve and rigidly integral with the side walls, said sleeve projecting labove `and below the top wall of said shroud.

13. A post-mix valve assembly comprising:

(a) a valve body having a :pair of inlet ducts and a pair of outlet ducts with a pair of valve seats each connecting an inlet duct with an outlet duct;

(b) valve members movably mounted to open and close said seats;

(c) a delivery spout and mixing chamber member detachably secured to said valve body and in open iluid communication with said outlet ducts;

(d) iirst valve actuating means for moving said valve member to valve opening position including an actuating lever depending from said valve body rearwardly of said spout; and

(e) second valve actuating means comprising a shroud pivotally mounted for rocking movement on said valve body above said spout for moving said valve members to valve opening position, said shroud having an upstanding handle thereon, and remaining stationary during movement of said actuating lever.

14. A valve assembly comprising:

(a) a valve body assembly comprising three separate valve blocks secured together, a rst of said blocks having `an inlet duct, a third of said blocks having an outlet duct communicating through a second of said blocks with said inlet duct;

(b) a valve member disposed between said first and second blocks to control the flow of liquid through said ducts;

(c) rst valve actuating means for moving said valve member to valve-opening position including an electric solenoid and armature, said solenoid being secured to said third valve block and said armature being connected through a link arm to move said valve member; and

(d) second valve-actuating means comprising a lever pivoted on said valve body and depending therefrom rearwardly of said outlet duct and arranged to effect movement of said valve member.

15. A post-mix valve comprising:

(a) `a valve body assembly comprising three separate valve blocks secured together, a irst of said blocks having a pair of inlet ducts, a third of said blocks having a pair of intermediate ducts disposed in a generally horizontal plane and respectively communicating through a second of said blocks with said inlet ducts;

(b) a pair of valve members disposed between said first and second blocks to control the flow of liquid through said ducts;

(c) a mixing chamber and delivery spout secured to said third block;

(d) a pair of outlet ducts in said third block connecting said intermediate ducts to said mixing chamber and delivery spout;

(e) a shroud enveloping a Iportion of said third block and being pivotally mounted thereon for limited for' Ward movement about a horizontal axis; and

(f) means connected to said shroud Iat a point spaced from said axis for moving said valve members to open position.

16. A post-mix valve assembly comprising:

(a) a rst valve block having a pair of inlet ducts;

(b) a second valve block secured to said first valve block and having a pair of valve seats respectively communicating with said inlet ducts;

(c) a pair of valve members movably mounted between vsaid blocks to open and close said seats;

(d) a third valve block secured to said second valve block and having outlet ducts in open fluid communication with said seats;

(e) a delivery spout and mixing chamber member detachably secured to said third valve block in open uid communication with said outlet ducts;

(f) an actuating lever depending beneath said blocks and positioned to open said valve members simultaneously upon movement thereof;

(g) a shroud having a handle and enveloping a portion of said third valve block and mounted thereon for limited rocking movement; and

(h) link means having a lost-motion connection therein connected to move said valve members to valveopening position upon rocking movement of said shroud and to enable movement of said lever without rocking said shroud.

(References on following page) References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Bowen 251-130 Medved 16-110 X Segal 137-607 X Welty et al.4 239-445 X Turak 25 1-3 67 X Bauerlein 137-604 X Hertel 137-607 Georgiei 251-289 Newbery 251-130 X Mossberg 137-607 X Zilk 251-298 Booth et al. 137-607 X Slaten 251-289 X Beecher 251-289 X Halpern 222-571 X `Cozzoli et al. 222-571 X ALAN COHAN, Primary Examiner.

DENNIS H. LAMBERT, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. C1. X.R. 

